Saturday, May 26, 2012

Some thoughts while recovering from computer woes

The yard looks good, the garden's mostly in and the newspaper has once again been a source of information.

That's what happens when technology gets put on hold because of a virus, or in this case a couple of them.

It was a good thing. The Stanley Cup Finals is set with New Jersey taking on Los Angeles, but not too much going on in Sabreland. The draft is approaching, and with two first-round and two second rounders, it'll be interesting to see what GM Darcy Regier does.

Time to play a little catch-up.

R.I.P Paul Cyr

The ninth overall selection in the 1982 draft, Cyr had a relatively short career (470 games,) and it's a shame that a heart attack at the age of 48 made his life even shorter.

Sabres ink defenseman Alexander Sulzer to a one-year extension

The "throw-in" in the Zack Kassian (and Marc-Andre Gragnani) for Cody Hodgson deal with Vancouver this past deadline played very well, especially beside his fellow German countryman, Christian Ehrhoff.

Athird-round pick in 2003 by Nashville, Sulzer was well traveled with minimal minutes in the NHL. But the Sabres, due to injuries, gave him the opportunity to showcase his talents, and he took advantage of it.

It makes for an interesting off-season for the team when it comes to defensemen. Buffalo has Ehrhoff, Tyler Myers, Robyn Regehr and Jordan Leopold in as their top-four. Sulzer and Andrej Sekera round out the defense corps.

Mike Weber is in the mix for a bottom-pairing/depth d-man. Thrown in rookie Brayden McNabb who's set to stake a claim on the blue line and the possibility of T.J. Brennan making a push and that's nine d-men who are NHL ready.

That doesn't include former first round pick (#23-overall, 2010) Mark Pysyk. The captain of the Edmonton Oil Kings in the WHL saw his junior career come to an end this past week.

For years Regier has been building defensive depth and the organization is loaded with prospects on the blue line.

Obviously, somethings got to give.

Quick notes on the Stanley Cup Finals

Both the New Jersey Devils and the Los Angeles Kings made it to the Finals this playoffs with a relentless forecheck, solid defense and great goaltending. Both sides have the star power to beat top-notch goaltending as proven when the Devils beat Henrik Lundqvist of the NY Rangers and the Kings beat Mike Smith of the Phoenix Coyotes.

Ageless Martin Brodeur of the Devils and young Jonathan Quick of the Kings are both bonafide #1 goalies and should put an end, for now at least, to the debate on the importance of having a top-notch goalie in net for a championship team.

The Sabres have Ryan Miller in net and a defense that's on par with both teams. But what they don't have is the tenacity of a relentless forecheck and bonafide star power up-front.

How they address that in the near future is yet to be seen, but you can bet owner Terry Pegula has his charges searching for that type of player.

"The Dominator" looking to get back in the NHL

Dominik Hasek has been playing overseas since leaving Detroit in 2008 with two cup rings and it would seem as if he's looking to get back into the NHL.

He was in Detroit recently and hinted that he and his agent have some kind of plan.

Buffalo, of course, will be in the rumor mill mix as a potential destination for the former Sabre, but...really?

Hasek is 47 years old and although he's in great shape, his Gumby-like attributes have diminished with age. Maybe not a significant drop-off yet, but he ain't in his 20's or 30's anymore.

Hasek will be in the Hall of Fame as soon as he's eligible. Maybe he should sign with the team who's cap he'll wear during his enshrinement. He said that it would be Detroit, completely shunning Buffalo where he garnered his Hall Of Fame credentials.

About Me

My first chance to see a Sabres game was hauling ass up the ramps of the old Aud back in the early 70's to get as close to the standing room only wall as possible. The French Connection, Jim Schoenfeld, "King Kong" Korab and a host of other players and personalities molded me into the Sabres fan I am today.
Throughout the decades players have come and gone, so have my cities and states of residence, but I remain a die-hard Sabres fan.
Viva Felix Baumgartner!